Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh calls for collective responsibility to restore peace after ethnic violence, stressing cooperation, trust-building, and bipartisan support following the withdrawal of President’s Rule and formation of the new NDA government.
A day after taking charge as the Chief Minister of Manipur, Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Thursday stressed that restoring peace and normalcy in the violence-affected state is a collective responsibility that must be shared by all sections of society, including elected representatives, civil groups, and citizens.
Addressing the Manipur Legislative Assembly, Singh highlighted the long and painful history of ethnic conflicts in the state and warned against allowing past tragedies to repeat themselves. Referring to the Kuki-Naga clashes that erupted in 1993, he recalled that more than 1,000 lives were lost, leaving deep scars that continue to shape the state’s social and political landscape.
Describing such episodes of violence as deeply unfortunate, the Chief Minister said sustained, coordinated efforts are essential to prevent future unrest. He emphasized that peace cannot be imposed by the government alone but must emerge through mutual trust, dialogue, and cooperation among all communities.
“To bring back a peaceful atmosphere, it is a collective responsibility of all of us,” Singh said, urging lawmakers across party lines to work together to heal divisions. He noted that a persistent trust deficit has restricted free movement in several areas and delayed the safe return of thousands of displaced families to their homes.
Singh also expressed appreciation for opposition legislators who have extended support to the government’s initiatives aimed at restoring stability. He said bipartisan cooperation would play a crucial role in rebuilding confidence and ensuring that relief, rehabilitation, and reconciliation measures reach affected communities without discrimination.
Manipur has witnessed prolonged ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 2023, leading to widespread displacement, loss of life, and destruction of property. The situation prompted the imposition of President’s Rule on February 13 last year, following the resignation of then Chief Minister N. Biren Singh amid mounting political and security challenges.
With the withdrawal of President’s Rule earlier this week, the formation of the National Democratic Alliance government under Singh has raised expectations for a new phase of governance focused on peace-building and administrative stability. Officials said the Centre’s decision reflects confidence in the newly formed government’s ability to handle the complex situation in the state.
Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata later adjourned the seventh session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly sine die, marking the conclusion of a significant sitting that set the tone for the new administration.
A 61-year-old Bharatiya Janata Party legislator, Yumnam Khemchand Singh belongs to the majority Meitei community and brings considerable legislative experience to the office. He served as Speaker of the Manipur Assembly from 2017 to 2022 and has been elected twice from the Singjamei constituency in Imphal West district, winning the 2017 and 2022 Assembly elections as a BJP candidate.
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Following the BJP’s second consecutive victory in the 2022 Manipur Assembly elections, Singh was inducted as a Cabinet Minister in the second N. Biren Singh-led ministry. His elevation to the top post is seen by political observers as a strategic move aimed at ensuring continuity while also signaling a renewed emphasis on reconciliation and inclusive governance.
As Manipur navigates the fragile transition from prolonged unrest to political normalcy, the Chief Minister’s call for collective responsibility underscores the scale of the challenge ahead. Restoring peace, rebuilding trust, and enabling the return of displaced citizens remain critical priorities for the new government, whose actions in the coming months will be closely watched both within the state and beyond.
